China Teases New ‘Blackout Bomb’ Capable of Crippling Enemy Power Grids

China has unveiled what appears to be a new type of advanced graphite bomb — a non-lethal but highly disruptive weapon designed to knock out power stations and plunge large areas into darkness without causing physical destruction.

On Thursday, China’s state broadcaster CCTV released an animated video showcasing the weapon’s capabilities. In the video, the weapon is launched from a land-based platform, carrying 90 small, cylinder-shaped submunitions. These canisters are designed to bounce upon hitting the ground and then burst mid-air, releasing a cloud of fine, chemically treated carbon filaments.

These carbon filaments, or graphite fibers, are specifically engineered to conduct electricity. When dispersed over high-voltage substations and power grids, they cause short circuits by bridging electrical connections, leading to power outages and damage to electrical infrastructure.

According to the broadcaster, the weapon can disrupt power over an area of at least 10,000 square meters (about 2.5 acres). While no official name or operational status for this weapon has been revealed, it was described as a “mysterious domestically made missile” developed under the supervision of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) — a major contractor affiliated with China’s Ministry of National Defence.

Technical Details (From Reliable Open Sources):

• Warhead Weight: 490 kg (1,080 lbs)

• Range: 290 km (180 miles)

• Submunitions: 90 canisters carrying graphite filaments

• Effect Radius: 10,000 sq. meters per deployment

These characteristics closely resemble known graphite bombs previously used by other militaries. Notably, the US deployed BLU-114/B graphite warheads during the Gulf War and Kosovo conflict to devastating effect, temporarily crippling enemy power grids without causing civilian casualties.

In Iraq, Tomahawk cruise missiles equipped with graphite bombs disabled 85% of the national grid, while in Kosovo, American F-117 stealth fighters used similar weapons to knock out 70% of Serbia’s electricity infrastructure, forcing the country into ceasefire talks.

A New Strategy for Modern Warfare

Military experts suggest that China’s new graphite bomb reflects a broader shift in modern warfare strategy — targeting command, control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems rather than focusing solely on traditional troop engagements.

Chen Chundi, a military analyst and editor at Modern Ships magazine, described graphite bombs in a 2017 commentary as “game-changing” unconventional weapons. He argued that paralyzing an opponent’s operational systems could be more effective than direct attacks, and that such weapons would likely be integrated into Chinese cruise missiles in future conflicts.

Chen also noted that these bombs could use wind-corrected munitions dispensers (WCMD) for improved accuracy, potentially guided by China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system.

A Message for Taiwan?

Though the broadcaster did not specify targets, online speculation quickly pointed to potential uses against Taiwan’s power infrastructure in the event of a conflict. Disabling electrical grids would disrupt command systems, communications, and defensive coordination without causing large-scale civilian casualties — a tactic favored in strategic warfare.

While much about China’s new graphite bomb remains classified — including its exact name and operational status — the weapon’s reveal signals a growing interest in non-lethal, infrastructure-disabling munitions. It also highlights China’s focus on asymmetric warfare tools designed to neutralize enemy systems indirectly.

As conflicts increasingly shift toward cyberattacks, electronic warfare, and precision infrastructure strikes, graphite bombs like this could play a pivotal role in future military engagements, both in the Taiwan Strait and beyond.